The days of Michigan's quarterback taking a constant beating, deliberately, may be all but over.

After rushing starting quarterback Devin Gardner a whopping 165 times a year ago in 12 games, just 20 less than starting running back Fitz Toussaint, new Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has a bit of a different plan in mind for 2014.

And it involves keeping his quarterback healthy.

Finally.

“We don't want our quarterback to take a pounding for three quarters and expect him to make good throws in the fourth,” Nussmeier told CBSsports.com's Jeremy Fowler this week. “You've got to be able to win games in the fourth quarter. You have to be able to execute when you're tired, when you're uncomfortable.

"Learning to execute when things aren't exactly the way you want them.”

Gardner averaged roughly 14 carries per game last season. Michigan coach Brady Hoke told CBS the new plan is to call "maybe 2 or 3" designed quarterback keepers.

Michigan's quarterbacks, Gardner included, were also sacked a ton last season -- a whopping 36 times, more than any team in the Big Ten, save for Purdue.

Of course, the proof will ultimately be in the pudding here, as this isn't the first time Hoke has claimed his quarterback won't be asked to run nearly as much as years prior.

Under Al Borges last season, the Wolverines entered the year with hopes of scrapping most of its remaining spread-option packages that involved designed runs for Gardner.

But after never really finding any type of success with its pro-style ground game, the Wolverines found themselves forced to call Gardner's number far more often in crunch time -- almost every single week.

And in the end, for the second straight year, Michigan's starting quarterback ended up missing a start due to injury -- as freshman Shane Morris had to start the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl due to a broken bone in Gardner's foot.

This season, though, Michigan plans to let Gardner be a passer -- and let the running backs do the running.

That's the plan, anyway.

“I got a little beat up last year,” Gardner told CBS. “I chose to play quarterback so I'd get a chance to pass. I'd rather not get my abilities abused. (Nussmeier) was adamant in saying that's not going to happen. I'm excited about that”